Ruben Amorim amazed by Manchester United fans' ongoing support in dire times as club prepare for Lyon second leg - 'It's a big surprise'
Published 17/04/2025 at 07:15 GMT+1
Ruben Amorim is preparing for a season-defining UEFA Europa League clash, where Manchester United will host Ligue 1 side Lyon in the second leg of their quarter-final. United let a 2-1 lead slip in the 95th minute of the first leg, and now their hopes of silverware and UEFA Champions League next season hang in the balance as the Portuguese admits the ongoing support from fans is "a big surprise."
'They feel that we are suffering' - Amorim hails United fans for continued support
Video credit: TNT Sports
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has admitted his "big surprise" at how the club's supporters have stuck by him in difficult times.
The latest slip-up for Amorim's side came at St James' Park in a disappointing 4-1 loss to Newcastle United.
The Premier League result succeeded in an equally disheartening 2-2 draw against Lyon in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final tie with Lyon.
An error-strewn performance from Andre Onana, who returns to the starting line-up on Thursday, saw United let a 2-1 lead slip in the last minute of the game as Rayan Cherki found the equaliser.
"It is a big surprise for me," Amorim said, when asked about the continued support he feels.
"I came from a different culture, and to feel that is really important. They know that this is going to take time, I think they feel that we are suffering.
"They can feel that I'm frustrated and I'm in a hurry to change things. But I think they also see that we are thinking about the club, and not just thinking about myself and my future.
"It's hard to deserve that support when you are not performing in the way you should perform. If you ask me if I deserve that, it's hard to say yes."
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But whether that support is warranted is another question, and the Portuguese manager is aware that United's performances on the pitch are struggling to encourage their fanbase.
"I don't know. You would have to ask them," he replied when asked why the supporters are so devoted to him.
"What I think they know is that I put the team in first place, I don't protect myself, and I think I try to respect the club in every situation. But we can talk about next season, we need to be better because that support is not forever, and I know that.
"I'm clear, I'm honest. I have principles that I don't change. I think it's a little bit like our club, you believe in something and go forward. Sometimes you have bad days and good days."
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‘Ready to return’ – Amorim confirms Onana will play in second leg against Lyon
Video credit: SNTV
The Europa League is, of course, the club's last chance at silverware this season, and their only hope of securing European football next season.
As they languish in 14th in the league table and have suffered exits from both domestic cups, winning the Europa League represents the sole route into next season's UEFA Champions League.
Not only will that be crucial in terms of their road map back to relevancy, but financially too, as well as the promise of European football to lure in quality signings.
"It can change not just this season, but the next season," Amorim continued. "But we want to win, it's really important for our club. To win a competition, to have European football next year.
"But there are some things that are more important to change in this moment, to take Manchester United to the top.
"We need to work on things inside the club, outside the club. You felt all this year with a lot of changes in the staff, the club, ticket prices, all these things. We are changing, we are thinking about the club, but we need to be fixed.
"We need to start with the small things in training, the standards. Those things are more important sometimes than to play Champions League next year."
How to watch Man Utd v Lyon
United take on Lyon on Thursday, April 17, at Old Trafford, with the game kicking off at 20:00 UK time.
You can watch the game on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting from 19:00.
TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.
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Watch and stream Premier League and UEFA Champions League football live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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